What’s the Best Speed for Fuel Economy?

Cars driving at night

There are a number of ways to drive more economically. From driving in the highest possible gear (whilst remaining in the speed limit) through to ensuring that your car is maintained, there are strategies for keeping motoring costs as low as possible.

A great way to drive economically is to ensure that you’re driving at the most fuel-efficient speed. But what is the best speed for fuel economy? We break it down below.

Is your car fuel efficient?

If you’re looking for a car loan quote online to secure a more fuel-efficient set of wheels, you’re going to want to check that car’s miles per gallon (MPG).

Miles per gallon refers to the number of miles that a car can travel on a gallon of fuel. An efficient car should do more than 60mpg, with a good average between 50 and 60mpg. That said, this depends on a number of factors.

What impacts a car’s fuel efficiency?

There are a number of variables impacting the fuel efficiency of a vehicle.

The make and model of the car will impact its fuel efficiency. So will everything from poor vehicle maintenance through to towing, oil type, speeding, regularly driving short distances and frequently accelerating or braking too hard.

All of these factors will impact the most fuel-efficient speed of your car.

What is the best speed for fuel economy?

Provided that you practice good driving habits, keep your vehicle up to date with services, and reduce the other behaviours that can affect your fuel economy, your vehicle should be able to travel at its most fuel-efficient speed.

There are different estimations for the best speed for fuel economy. However, as an average, most cars are at maximum fuel efficiency between 45 and 50mph (miles per hour). You can potentially push your car to 55mph to stay fuel efficient, but this will vary between models and according to the factors listed above.

In fact, your fuel economy drops by 14% when driving between 60 and 70mph. This goes to 15.4% when you’re driving from 70 to 80mph.

You’re less fuel-efficient at higher speeds for a number of reasons. Firstly, your car faces higher air and tyre resistance, so the engine has to work harder. Secondly, you’ll be generating higher engine revs.

Remember, the higher your engine revs, the more fuel you use. This is why it’s more fuel-efficient to travel in the highest gear possible within the speed limit.

Find a more economical drive with My Car Credit

If you’re looking for a more fuel-efficient set of wheels, contact My Car Credit to see how we can help. We’ll help you secure affordable car finance that eases the cost of motoring for you – email us on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

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Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

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*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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How Much Does It Cost to Drive – 4 Key Factors

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As of November 2022, around 80% of British drivers were looking to save money on driving. That adds up to over 30 million British drivers trying to find ways to take to the road in a more efficient and economical fashion.

There are lots of factors that impact how much it costs to drive. Everything from a car’s insurance through to its maintenance adds up. That said, this article will specifically look at the impact that fuel has on how much it costs to drive, helping you to make savvier choices when you next hit the pump.

How does fuel impact how much it costs to drive?

There are four main factors that will impact the fuel cost per mile of your vehicle.

Fuel price

The cost of fuel is probably the biggest driving expense. Fuel prices fluctuate regularly. The price of fuel will vary because of combination of factors:

  1. The price of crude oil. The wholesale price of crude oil is the biggest factor in determining overall fuel price.
  2. Fuel duty and VAT. These are taxes that drivers have to pay on top of the cost of crude oil.
  3. Fuel prices are also dictated by the costs involved in their delivery.
  4. Retailer profit. Companies want to make a profit from any fuel they sell. As such, they’ll add a markup on the wholesale price of oil – typically anywhere from 5 and 10%.
  5. This refers to the ethanol content in the fuel, which can impact overall fuel price.
  6. The strength of the pound (sterling).

Another factor that determines fuel prices is regional variation. In rural locations with fewer fuel stations, prices may be higher, as businesses need to cover their overheads and have a monopoly market. Alternatively, in urban areas with a high number of fuel stations, prices may be lower in order to be more competitive.

Whilst you can’t control the price or ethanol content of crude oil, you can carefully plan your next trip to the pump, avoiding those retailers who heavily mark-up fuel.

Fuel type

The type of fuel your car runs on will determine its overall running cost. Diesel vehicles are more economic for long distances, but are more expensive overall. For shorter, stop-start journeys, petrol or electric vehicles will be more economical.

Vehicular efficiency

MPG refers to a car’s ‘miles per gallon’, and it indicates your car’s fuel efficiency. The higher the MPG, the less fuel consumed by your car when you drive. Higher MPG cars are therefore more fuel efficient and economical.

Driving style

Individual driving style and choices can help to reduce the cost of driving.

Avoiding intense acceleration, driving smoothly, using gears sensibly, and planning your route ahead so as to avoid traffic are more efficient and therefore economic driving styles. Don’t forget to avoid using the air conditioner unnecessarily and reduce vehicular weight, too.

How much does it cost to drive?

There’s no one straight answer for how much it costs to drive. This depends on a number of factors, ranging from the type of car you have through to the cost of fuel. 

If you want a figure on how much you’re likely paying to drive, there are plenty of fuel cost calculators online. These handy tools allow you to input information like your car make and model or registration plate and your annual mileage. From there, they’ll provide an approximate figure of how much it costs you to drive.

Alternatively, you can use the following formula yourself in order to establish your fuel cost per mile:

Cost per mile (pence) = Litres x Fuel price / Number of miles

To work out the annual running cost of your vehicle, you can use this formula:

Annual running cost = Cost per mile x Average mileage

How can I find cheaper fuel?

Take into account the factors listed above to try and shop around for the most economic fuel type for you.

Remember that fuel is typically cheaper at supermarkets, and premiums will be whacked onto motorway fuel stations. Avoid ‘premium’ fuel types, which typically offer little advantage to cars unless they’re performance models.

If you’re looking for a way to monitor the average price of fuel at different retailers, be sure to check out the RAC’s Fuel Watch initiative.

Find a more economical drive with My Car Credit

If you’re looking for a more economical and efficient car, check your car finance eligibility or contact My Car Credit on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk today.

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X% APR*

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*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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5 Fuel Saving Tips to Combat the Cost of Living

Man filing up his car with petrol to save on fuel

If you regularly use your vehicle and need it for work, then major increases in fuel prices can cause real problems for your monthly finances. However, there are ways of being economical with fuel in order to make your purchases go that little bit further.

Remember, when you’re shopping around for a car, look for one that’s fuel efficient. A car’s fuel efficiency is determined by its MPG (miles per gallon), and it’ll make a big difference to your regular fuel expenditure.

Fuel saving tips – the top 5

Go easy on your speed and accelerator

Sometimes you may just need to put your foot down (within the legal limits), but speed and use of the accelerator are two of the biggest factors that impact fuel consumption.

Go easy on the accelerator, and try to keep your driving smooth. If you’re in the highest gear possible, you’ll be using less fuel, but you need to ensure that you’re safely in control when doing so. Keeping revs down is also key, as revving causes an engine to spin faster, which guzzles fuel.

Practice good driving habits

If you’re approaching red lights, ease off the accelerator as you get closer to gently slow down. This is known as defensive or anticipatory driving and is a sure-fire way to save on fuel. It also typically means you’re more alert to your surroundings, making you a safer driver overall.

Vehicle maintenance

Keeping your vehicle well serviced will not only ensure that it’s safe to drive, it’s also one of the best fuel saving tips. Why? That’s because it guarantees the vehicle is working at optimum efficiency.

Monitor tyre pressure

Keeping on top of your tyre pressure makes a significant difference with fuel efficiency. The lower your tyre pressure, the more fuel the car will need as a result of resistance.

As such, it’s best practice to keep on top of your tyres between services – every fortnight or so is best.

You should be able to locate figures specifying your vehicle’s optimal tyre pressure on the inside of the driver’s door, but consult the handbook if this is tricky to find. Keeping on top of your tyre pressure can also help maintain your brakes, as tyres that are wrongly inflated will impact their wear and tear.

Maximise aerodynamics

This sounds a tad technical, but it boils down to minimising any drag or interference on your car. Roof bars and racks will result in higher fuel usage as a result of wind resistance – even if the rack’s empty.

Reducing the load carried by your car is also a top fuel saving tip. Clear out your car boot whilst you’re removing the roof rack, bicycle carriers, or any other bits and pieces.

Update to a new fuel-efficient car

If you’re concerned about your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and are looking to purchase an alternative, My Car Credit can help you to get car finance on a variety of cars from new or used dealerships – or check out our approved list of nearly-new vehicles to choose from.

Our easy-to-use car finance calculator will also ensure you find affordable financing options. Have more questions about buying a fuel-efficient car on finance? Get in touch with our friendly team on 01246 458 810 or enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

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£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

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or call 01246 458 810